Shipping assembly



Dec. 28, 1948.

SHIPPING ASSEMBLY Filed Oct. 1'7. 1944 G. H. NORQUIST I '-3 Sheets-Sheet 1 DC) I /I5Z'Z 26 3, 0 W

INVENTOR. GLEN N H. NORQUIST A TTO/QNEY Dec. 28, 1948.

Filed Oct. 1'7, 1944 G. H. NORQUIST SHIPPING ASSEMBLY INVENTOR. GLENN H. NORQUIST BY M J. W

ATTORNEY Dec. 28, 1948. e. H. NORQUIST I 2,457,262

SHIPPING ASSEMBLY A Filed Oct. 17, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. GLENNH. NORQUIST 1Q 1 BY ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 28, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SHIPPING ASSEMBLY Glenn H. Norquist, Jamestown, N. Y. Application October 17, 1944, Serial No. 558,980

This invention relates to shipping assemblies, and more particularly to the combination of an enclosed shipping case having associated therewith a framework structure for supporting the elongated articles within the case in a manner to protect the articles from damage during shipment and handling.

The shipping assembly forming the subject motor assemblies weigh 50 pounds or more, must be protected from blows which may damage the delicate mechanism therein, and which furthermore must be shipped in air-tight containers so that moisture will not rust or damage any parts thereof. Due to these exacting shipping requirements and the shape and weight of the rocket motors and tail fins, unusual problems of a difiicult nature with respect to the adequate packing and shipping of the same to satisfactorily meet all special requirements is presented.

rocket motors and the associated four tail fins are supported by an inner protective framework and are housed within a specially constructed metal lined shipping case dimensioned to snugly receive the framework unit. The framework is assembled from four wood uprights of generally square cross-section, and somewhat longer than the rocket motor casings. A sturdy partition member is provided at each end of the framework for supporting the ends of four rocket motor casings. Each of said partition members is provided with four spaced holes or openings therein each shaped to snugly receive the adjacent end of a rocket motor casing. The partition members are retained in fixed spaced relation-"' ship by frame members or uprights. The corners of the partition members seat into preformed of each of the uprights, with the tubular sections of the tail fins positioned centrally of the four uprights. I As thus arranged each fin blade 30 In accordance with this invention, four such 3 Claims. (Cl. 206- 65) will extend between an adjacent pair of rocket motor casings, but the rocket motor casings will be maintained in spaced relationship from each other as well as from the tail fins An end panel may be positioned at each end of the framework to further protect the ends of the motor casings from damage. The four uprights need not be secured to the supporting partitions since these parts will be locked in position when the enclosand tail fin parts, are'locked within and to the framework and securely retained in fixed position.

The wood uprights and supporting partitions are locked together by notches so that the framework can be quickly pulled apart when removed from the shipping case to provide almost immediate access to the articles packed therein. The packing caseis shaped to closely and snugly 'i receive the supporting framework so that the uprights and supporting partitions are held J firmly locked together when. in theshipping case.

The shippin caseis preferably constructed as clessupported by the framework.

--,Other objects and advantages of this invention will become additionally apparent as the disclosureproceeds. q

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended-hereto, the. invention itself, and

' the manner invwhichit may be carried out, may

45 ing descriptionitaken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof,'in

which: I

, rocket motor casings and four complementary be better understood by referring to the follow- Fig.1 is a perspective view of the fully assembled inner supporting framework having four tailfins assembled within the framework;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the metal lined packing case constructed to receive the assem- Fig. 3 is an ele'vational view of one of the rocket inotors to be packaged;

Fig. 4 is a top view of one of the tail fins to be packaged;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational View of the tail fin;

Fig. 6 is a transverse cross-sectional view through the supporting frame work as the same appears when (viewed along time .5-6 ..qf Fig. .1;

Fig. "I .is ttran'sverse cross-sectional .view through the supporting framework as the same appears when viewed along line 1-1 of Fig.4, the rocket motor casing-s and. tail fins being shown in cross-section as arranged therein? Fig. 8 is an elevational view of the supporting framework, with the rocket casings and tail "fins assembled therein;

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal to the supporting framework as the same would appear when viewed along line 9-9 of Fig. 7,

'Lthe "rocket casings 'and"tail"firrs 3 being shown :assenibled therein; I v

Fig. 10 is 'aperspectivewiew-pf the-closed and ;sealedgpacking tease having thesuppor'tingframework, rocket "motors. "and *ta'il'ifins assembled therein, certaimpartsbeing'broken'away'to expose a secticn'of ther'interior; j

"Fig. '11 is "an elevational view ar the -packing case showing "the supporting "framework and rocket .motor .fcasings arranged thereinf in dotted flines;

TFig. "121s "a "longitudinal cross-sectional view '*tai en .throug'h .the xsupporting framework "and c'ontainerpase shtwmgthe mannermwlnch the case is telescopeol over the frame work unit 'duringthe process"of packagmgyanii Fig. "13 is "a transverse cross-sectional view through the "supportingframework an'd enclosing 'case as the 'same "would "appear "as viewed Similar reference "characters "refer trrsiniilar parts "throughoutthe severalviews -of the' drawingsaniispecificaticn. V

In orii'er that the si'ib'jectmatter"dfithis'inventicn "may be more" reaiiily understood; the general shape of the --rocket motor "casings -=ancl tail 'firisto be packagetlwilPfirstbe' descrioefd; As :s'hown more particularly in Fig. 3, each-rocket motor A comprises a tubularnnetal casing a isectiomg. iIhe-zbiades mane;substantially-equally spaced and =extendi:rmbstantially .-.-radiately. in a plane which substantially -.bisects ,the. longitudinal axis of the tubular section g.

, r-Aslshownamore. particularlytiniligsnl; 6,17%and .8, \the supporting .framework C Qdesigned: .to n .support :and .contain. fourrocket motors r A and a complement offoufta'ilfinsIB. I The supporting framework is assembledlfrom "fo .1 .r;woo'd uprights l,' which may.hayejagsubstaiitially square cross-section and .a length which somewhat greater than the length df'the rocket" motors 4 A, so that the ends of the uprights will extend slightly beyond the ends of the rocket motors. A supporting partition 2, which may be advantageously formed of laminated plywood, supports the upper ends of the rocket motors A in fixed spaced relationship, and a supporting partition 3 formed of plywood supports the bottom ends of the rocket motors in fixed spaced relationship. The supportingpartition 2 has four "spaced holes dycut therein each designed to receive the reduced and b of the rocket motor .when the partition 2 rests upon the shoulder portion 0 thereof. Each hole 4 is proportioned 'tossnugly receive the reduced end b of the rocket motor .A and the four holes are equi-distantly cross-sectional view fromtthexlongitudinal center line of the framework C. It will be noted that the supporting partition 2 is approximately rectangular in contour, and has a rectangular notch 5 cut out *from-"each corner thereof.

The -partition fi which supports the lower ends df' the 'recket motors is similar in shape and *form to thesupportin'g'partition-2 above described, --except that the holes 6 through which th'e lower ends ='o'fthe rocket-motor casings a telescope are somewhat larger than the holes l in the sup-- porting 'partition f- -2, the holes 56 being of 'sufficient -=size to *snugly receive 'and accommodate "the lower ends "of the rocket motor "casings a. "The lower supporting "partion *3 is designed "to rest'on 'the shouldersii formed'by the collars d. "The supporting partition?) is likewise substan- *tially rectangular in outline "and'has a rectangular notch 5-'cut out from each *corner thereof.

' Phe upperend *o'f each upright I ha-s a-groove "cut therein which-extends transversely across one-df the inner-side faces thereof. "Each groove is shape'd to snugly receive a corner section 9 of the-supporting partition 2, the notch "5 at the acorner of the *partition "2 -embracing the 'uncutstockB of the-upright. Asshown inFig. 1, ithe "uprights i are of equal length "and the *grooves' l 'cut therein are spaced from the upper "ends thereof andlocated so'tha't thecorner sections 9 of thepartitiQn Z willsnugly seat therein when the partition 2 rests upon the "shoulders c :1 of' the spaced rocket motor casings a.

"The --lower supporting partition 3 has the corner sections 53 -theredf snugly "fitted into -similar "grooves ill =tra nsverselycut into each upright I across one of the inside "faces thereof. Each of t'heigrooves lfl- 'are -s0 positioned that when the lower -supporting partition -3 rests upon the col- ?iars d of therocket motor casings a, the corner "section's9 of'the partition "'3 will *snugly "fit into thea'diacentgrcoves lfl 'cutin theuprights I. It will bemo'tedthatthepartitions? and 3 arenot :s'ecure'd totheuprights-l eitherby nails, screws, 'glua'orother extraneous means," but these parts "are heidinassembled relationship solely by "the c'lose *frictionalfit "between the corner sections 9 ofthe "partitions and the'notchesfin" the uprights. Asjs'hown more particularly in' Figs. 7, "8 and '9, each-ofthe fountailffins-B are arranged centrally cr me :uprights l in vertically stackedrelation- "ship, As thusasserribled"thetubular section 9 I of ?each :tailfinis located 'equi-tiistantly between 'L'the uprights! with each'blade hthereo'f'radiata cent bladeh. Thus it willbe'noted thatthever ticalnds of thefour blades h of eachvertically stacked tail fin are locked in position by the frame members I and firmly held within the supporting framework C. As shown in Fig. 7, each rocket motor casing afis disposed between an adjacent pair of blades h, but maintained out of contact with the blades h and the tubular collar g of the tail 'fins by the supporting partitions 2 and 3. The entire supporting framework as thus assembled is, however, held together prior to insertion into the packing case by the frictional fit between the corner sections '9 of the supporting partitions 2 and 3 and the snugly formed grooves! and ID in the uprights I.

' The assembled unit, comprising the supporting framework B with the four rocket motors A and the four tail fins B assembled therein as above described, is contained within a packing case D as shown more particularly in Fig. 2, designed and proportioned to snugly receive the same.

The packing case D is assembled from four side wall forming panels and a bottom wall panel properly shaped and dimensioned so that when properly assembled together the case will snugly receive the supporting framework B, as shown in Figs. ll), 11, 12, and 13. Each of these panels comprise a base sheet w having a metal sheet m permanently and firmly cemented to one side thereof. The base sheet w is preferably formed of a plurality of superimposed thin layers of wood or veneer which'are firmly bound together by a suitable plastic cement.

The metal clad panels are so arranged that the metal sheets m form the liner wall of the packing case,-and the base sheets to form the exterior wall surfaces thereof. In constructing each of the metal clad panels, a flat base sheet and a flat metal sheet are first bonded together and the flanges are then formed by cutting grooves 23 in the base sheet so that the side flanged sections 22 may be shaped to extend at approximately a 45 angle to the main or facing section 2| thereof. The corners of the basesheet are also notched out, but the metal sheet is'uncut and 'unweakened at the corners, leaving an exposed metal corner section which is crimped and folded to provide an inturned double ply reinforcing rib 25, as shown in Fig. 10, which is wedged between the ends 24 of the flanged sections 22 of the base sheet. An unusually strong and sturdy corner construction is thus formed. Prior to flanging, spaced holes 26 may be punched in the flanged sections 22 thereof through which rivets or eyelets 28 may be inserted when the flanged panels are assembled into a packing case.

In assembling the packing case, a tubular body is first assembled from four flanged side wall forming panels 1'. The holes 26 punched in the flanges 22 thereof are brought into alignment and hollow rivets or eyelets 28 are then driven through these aligned holes and the ends thereof headed over as at 29 to firmly clamp and hold the paired flanges of the adjacent side wall panels together in rigid assembly. The bottom wall panels are then preferably applied and secured in position by driving the eyelets 28 through the aligned holes 26 in the flanges 22 of the bottom wall panel 8 and in the adjacent flanges 22 of the side wall forming panels 1. Strips of solder 30 are applied to the inner corner seams by inserting the soldering iron through the open upper end of the packing case. The solder seams 30 seal together the metal liner sheets at the inner corners thereof and the molten solder will seep between: the contacting metal surfaces of the paired flanged sections 22 to further secure the paired flanges 22 together in integral assembly. A packing case which is extremely strong and sturdy in construction and substantially air-tight is' thus provided.

The packing case as thus assembled is telescop'ed over the supporting framework C when standing in the upright position as shown .in Fig. 12. The packing case containing the supporting framework 0 with the rocket motors A and tail flns B, is then turned into upright position. If desired a plywood end plate. I5 may be positioned to rest on theupper end of the uprights l asshown in Figs. 1 and 8 before the packing case is telescoped over the framework, thereby providing additional protection to the adjacent ends of the rocket motors. A similar end plate l6 may be' placed over the other end of the upright frame members i after the frame member has beenlplaced therein. further protecting the adjacent lower ends of the rocket motors.

Asthe final assembly, a metal clad top wall panel 25 isplace'd in position and the flanges 22 thereof secured by rivets or eyelets 28 to the adjacent flanges of the side wall'forming panels 1'. A sealing plastic 46 may be applied to the adjacent metal faces of the flanges of the cover forming-panel it when the cover panel is seated, thereby hermetically sealing the paired flanges of the side and end wall panels together. I

The packing case as above constructed will ade quately support and protect rocket motors and tail fln'sweighing several hundred pounds under extreme conditions of rough handling. The packing case as thus constructed is hermetically sealed, preventing moisture, dampness or water from entering the case. 'It will be noted that the paired flanges 22 of the packing case form an unusually strong reinforcing framework for the case and give added protection to the face sections 2i of the panels. The outercorners of the flange sections 22 of the base sheet are preferably cut onja bevel, as shown more particularly in- Figs. '10 and 13, so that the packing case may be more readily made to slide while resting on the flange sections without damage thereto, The packing case is so formed that the uprights i of the interior supporting framework snugly fit in the cor ners of the packing case, as shown more .particu-' larly in Fig. 13,thereby preventing separation of the uprights I from the supporting partitions 2 and 3 while the supporting framework iswithin the packing case. The outer corners of the ups rights 6 are preferably slightly bevelled to fit around the corner solder seams as shown in Fig. 13. The supporting partitions 2 and Sfirmlyretain the four rocket motors A in spaced relationship during shipment and handling, and the fin units B, are firmly retained centrally positioned within the interior supporting framework by the grooves ll formed in the frame members I and out of contact with the rocket motors. As thus supported and packed the rocket motors A and the tail fins B are rigidly held in spaced relalug framework? 'ca'mthenibe-readilyilittedeoutm the packingcasefloy:graspingithesnpporting martitions 2rand'I3. When :remoued from the zpacking case the framemembers :I can then she readily lifted away from suppmztingapartitions 2 and 3, and the supporting partitions :2 and 3withdrawn over the ends of the rocket motors A. ifims the rocket motors A endassociatedtailafins B may'xbe. made quickly accessible with assmance that thesezmechanisms will .nQtbe damaged dnring-removal.

it will now be appreciated that the supporting framework can be economically and rapidly made rfrom inexpensive pieces of "wood and p 5 mfiOdlWhiGh can .be quickly assembled to enclose elongated articles and icomplementary parts without nailing :orcpou-ndi-ng. The supporting framework can be easily disassociated and removed :from the articles supported therein, thus expediting access to the packaged articles and removing-any danger :ofinj-ury thereto -duringnnpacking. The packing case D which contains (the supporting framework and packed articlesmaybe madeiairtight to prevent any moisture or water from entering the case or contacting delicate pamts contained therein The case itself is multireiniomed at the corners and at the edges thereof where strains and the danger of damage is greatest. The-shipping assembly as above constructed provides an economical packaging mediior -.de1icate mechanisms which are of substantial weight and-which must undergo extreme conditions of handling and moisture before the'container reaches its destination ltiis understood-that various means of applying thmprinoiples-oi this invention may be employed, change being made in regard to details required by the particular application, and that changes and-modifications in the form, construction and arrangement and combination of the several parts. may be made and substituted for those herein-.shown and described without departing iromwtheabroad principles of this invention.

whati-is claimed is:

An article accessible shippingassembly, desgned to. contain and protect an article during shipmentoand handlingincluding in combination, a, knockdown supporting framework having a partition member adjacent each end thereof, each of .said partition members having an opening therein through which one. end of the --article may .be ,telescoped and removably supported by said partition members, :means for removably joining ,eachof. said framemembers to said partitions. to removably retain said partition members in fixed spaced relationship to. providean article slmportingiframework unit but permitting lateral knockdown. removalof said frame .memberssfrom saidparitition members, comprising a notch ladjacen't. each end of each of the frame members adaptedto receive the adjacent edge of said partiti'cn members, and an enclosing case designed to memorably icont'ain and support said ran-le work, comprising sidewall panels andza !bottom end wall gpanel, :adapted ltO snu ly receive said framework With-the iramemembersthereofipositinned ;at-the:innercorners'of the -case, and a removable coveriendgianel for-said case.

i2. -.A reusable, article accessible, shipping assembly ior elongatedarticles including in .combination, :a knockdown "suppcrtingtiramework for the articles including spaced -:supporting partitionskhauing spaced-openings therein through the endswoi the-articles may ibe 'telescoped and :the anticles removably supported spaced relationship by said partition members, corner -frame :menibers extendingsubstantially parallel to athe longitudina-lgaxis of "the articles packaged and presenting smooth exterior :faces, means for detachably connecting said frame members to said 'gpartitions including notches in :said :frame mennoers adapted to receive-the adjacent edges of said partition members, and an enclosingzcase designed toremouably contain and support said framework, -:compris'mg side wall ,panels and ta bottom wall panel, adapted tor-snugly receiversaid iramework with the framemembersthereof :positioned at theinner corners of the case and =a remosablewcover end panelijior said case.

3. article accessible shipping assembly :for elongated articles including in combination, a knockdown supporting irameworkiifor the articles includingspaced-polygonal shaped partitions for removably supporting the articles in suspension therebetween, said partitions having spaced openings therein through which the: ends of the articles. may ntelescoped, corner frame memhere for removable retaining said partitions in predetermined spaced relationship to providean article supporting framework unit, notches in said teams-members adapted to receive the ad- ;iaeentscornersioi :saidqpartitions permitting lateral knockdown. removal :of said comer ;frame members ."from sai'd partitions, and ban relongated shipping case of (corresponding, polygonal cross seotion designed :to removably contain and support :said framework, comprising-side wallwpanels and a bottom end wall panel, adapted "to snugly seceive said dramework. the frame "members thereoi' positioned at the inner corners of the ease, a removable-cover end for-said case.

.GLENN H; NORQUIST.

REFERENCES GITED The followingreferences are of record in the the of this patent:

FOREIGN PATIENTS 

